Two light rail trains collided in a tunnel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, injuring more than 200 individuals, within the first major crash for the 23-year-old metro system.
Footage on social media after the Monday night collision showed bloodied passengers, some lying on the floor of the carriage strewn with blood and shattered glass.
Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong told local media that a metro train carrying 213 passengers collided with a vacant carriage on a test-run in a tunnel near the Petronas Towers, one of the world’s tallest twin towers.
”One carriage was traveling at 20 kilometers per hour (12.4 mph) and another at around 40 kilometers per hour (24.8 mph) when the collision happened. This caused a significant jolt that threw some passengers out of their seats,” he was quoted as saying.
Federal Territory Minister Annuar Musa tweeted Tuesday that three passengers were in critical condition and have been intubated. More than 40 had serious injuries and another 160 had minor injuries.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin pledged a full investigation into the cause. Police mentioned they suspected a miscommunication from the trains’ operation control center. The vacant carriage had a driver whereas the train with passengers was a fully-automated and controlled by the operation center.
The crash affected one of three light rail lines connecting Kuala Lumpur and the surrounding suburbs. Prasarana Malaysia Berhad, a government-owned firm that owns the metro system, mentioned train services resumed Tuesday morning.
The metro system reportedly carries over 350,000 passengers daily, although ridership has been reduced to ensure social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic.
